The aim of this histologic study was to evaluate the influence of the direct laser fabrication (DFL) surface topography on bone-to-implant contact (BIC%), on bone density in the threaded area (BA%) as well as bone density outside the threaded area (BD%) in type IV bone after 8 weeks of unloaded healing. Thirty patients (mean age 51.34 +/- 3.06 years) received 1 micro-implant (2.5-mm diameter and 6-mm length) each during conventional implant surgery in the posterior maxilla. Thirty micro-implants with three topographies were evaluated: 10 machined (cpTi); 10 sandblasted and acid etched surface (SAE) and 10 DFL micro-implants. After 8 weeks, the micro-implants and the surrounding tissue were removed and prepared for histomorphometric analysis. Four micro-implants (2 cpTi, 1 SAE and 1DLF) showed no osseointegration after the healing period. Histometric evaluation indicated that the mean BIC% was higher for the DFL and SAE surfaces (p = 0.0002). The BA% was higher for the DFL surface, although there was no difference with the SAE surface. The BD% was similar for all topographies (p > 0.05). Data suggest that the DFL and SAE surfaces presented a higher bone-to-implant contact rate compared with cpTi surfaces under unloaded conditions, after a healing period of 8 weeks.
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